Photo of the Week: Mt Yasur Eruption, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Mt Yasur is the most accessible live volcano in the world, with eruptions every five to ten minutes. The 15-minute trek to the crater increases the prospects of a shortened life, but that’s why thousands make it.

Photo of the Week: Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama

There is a unique vibe about the Bocas del Toro archipelago in far west Panama, the true gateway to the country for overlanders from Costa Rice. It's a bohemian calypso feel that even the hardest at heart will enjoy.

Photo of the Week: Fire-Knife Dancing in Samoa

Siva Afi, or fire-knife dancing, is one of the most exhilarating aspects of Samoan festivities. Although a traditional pre-war ritual that was used to psych up Samoan warrior, it is today a demonstration of agility.

Photo of the Week: the Dazzling Colours of Sunset, The Maldives

As the waves of the Indian Ocean gently lap at your feet and the beach's slowly cooling sands, the sun’s last rays of the day paint the sky with a beautiful range of colours and tones.

Two 16th-century monuments of the Durbar Square of Patan on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami (the birth anniversary of Krishna), when thousands of pilgrims and devotees pay homage at a temple.

Photo of the Week: The Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru

Tisco is one of the highest settlements in Peru's Colca Valley. This church, built before the 18th-century expulsion of Dominican monks Its geographical location, is distinguished by its red décor, made with ochre.

Photo of the Week: Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Two cheetahs standing ready and vigilant in the rays of another remarkable day at the Selous Game Reserve, the largest ‘unscathed’ game reserve in Tanzania and a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site.

Photo of the Week: Boats Bob in the Waters of Melissani Lake, Kefalonia, Greece

Melissani Lake is a pool of still water in a natural cave. Given the breathtaking beauty of the caves, they have always been an ideal site for rites associated with the divine.

In today’s hyper-connected and quickly globalising world, a retreat into remoteness can be the finest amenity that travel has to offer. But where can you turn to really get away from it all? And when you get there, will you still have somewhere to spend the night? We’ve searched our WHL Group network for the most far-flung lodgings we could find. Far more than hotels, these unique places to lay your head offer a full travel experience.

Tibet is the mythical country of the world’s highest plateau, a dream destination of many travellers. 5 Days in Tibet by James Spradlin takes you through its capital city of Lhasa, mountains, lakes and Buddhist temples to reveal beauty and serenity, but also the everyday reality of the place. This video is more than merely pretty imagery of an exotic place. It transfers emotions, hints at stories, makes your mind wander.

With my rucksack lightly packed, I travelled from summery Delhi to the small town of Leh and the start of my trekking adventure in Ladakh in snowy northern India. I had come to Leh to hike one particular route, called the Chadar Trek, along the frozen Zanskar River, one major reason why tourists visit Ladakh in the winter (mid-January to the end of February).

The whirling silks of this Tshechu dancer’s costume blossom into an impressive shape as he loses himself in the rhythm of the traditional Cham (or Tscham) dance as part of the Lhuntse Tshechu, an annual festival held in northeastern Bhutan. These masked dancers perform to a musical accompaniment provided by brother monks or other locals.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE. Perched on the roof of the world is the astounding region of Tibet, one of those lands that most people only dream of visiting. whl.travel has partnered with Tibet Travel Professionals, which has been organising complete Tibet travel packages for foreign visitors since 2005, to ensure a memorable and hassle-free trip to this ancient realm.

Darjeeling, India, an internationally renowned tourist destination and hilly refuge, boasts an incredible variety of outdoor attractions and must-see sights. Getting to the bottom (or top) of Darjeeling’s top five, though, takes a local with intimate knowledge of the place. Fortunately, the founding staff at Tathagata Journeys were born and bred in Darjeeling and possess decades of experience arranging meaningful tours and activities for travellers.

Set against the jaw-droppingly gorgeous backdrop of the snow-covered Himalayas and surrounded by the phenomenal forests and streams of rural Darjeeling, India, the little village of Mineral Spring is a community knit together by strong cultural values that have made it a model of sustainable growth. Now, homestays with locals have been set up, satisfying the desires of both mindful travellers and responsible hosts.

Among many other things, Bhutan is a fabled haven for butterflies. There are between 90 and 120 species of butterfly in Bhutan; approximately 28 of these are endemic to the eastern Himalayas. For lepidopterists, little can rival the enchantment of a flittering butterfly rising and falling among the lush plant life of Bhutan.

THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND NEPALI. At the northeastern edge of the great nation of India is Sikkim, a tiny state draped across a section of the mighty Himalaya. Like the three countries with which it shares borders – Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal – Sikkim is notable for pristine mountain beauty. Its majestic landscapes, peaceful atmosphere and enormous biodiversity also make it one of the most promising destinations in India for anyone in search of the road less travelled.

In light of Responsible Travel Week 2011, we at Gunyah – specialists in short-duration experiential packages for independent travellers eager to connect with local people – have selected our favourite local travel experiences… in Argentina, Vietnam, Nepal, Australia, Zambia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We want to inspire travellers to seek out more meaningful travel experiences, the kinds that can only come through real contact with locals and genuine enjoyment of local culture and tradition.